No Post till 2009

I wanted to let you know that I will not be posting until after the first of the year so that I can spend time with my kids and parents. (yeah they are coming for a visit) I look forward to some great ideas that we can share in 2009. Happy Holidays.

Time Saving Tuesday--Ten Things To Save You Time

This is a great article that I found online. Hope you all enjoy!

By Marcia Francois

It seems like everywhere you go, you hear the same message. I don’t have enough time, I need more time, I’d love to exercise more, play more, __________ more (fill in the missing word) but I just don’t have the time.
Here are a few of my favourite time-savers.

1. Do your grocery shopping when the stores are empty I’ve started doing our weekly shop on Friday nights at 6.30. My favourite grocery store closes at 7pm so the store is not very full and all of us shoppers are in “accomplish” mode so not a lot of browsing and so on. We’re armed with our lists and get on with the job. I’ve saved at least an hour from doing the weekly shop on Saturdays like I used to do.

2. Whenever you cook, cook double I cook at least double of everything for the nights when I have coaching appointments in the evenings. It then takes just a few minutes to defrost the meals in the microwave and saves me about 30 minutes’ meal preparation time. You can freeze individual portions of just about anything – soup, rice, casseroles, etc.

3. When you return home from the shops, prepare all your vegetables immediately Yes, it will take a bit of time initially but it saves you time during the week when you’re busy. Remember, you can spend some time every night getting out all your chopping boards, knives, etc. AND cleaning it afterwards, or you can do it once a week. I vote for once a week. Do the same for your meat and chicken if you separate it out for different meals.

4. Set up a menu plan for the week The best part of using a menu plan for me besides saving money is that it saves me time. You don’t have the indecision every night of opening that fridge or cupboard and wondering what to cook. It’s already decided. Try it and see – you won’t look back. You can download a free menu planner off my website at http://takechargesolutions.org/downloads.html.

5. Choose your clothes in the evening This is another underestimated time saver. When you choose your clothes in the evening, you can see if your shoes need to be cleaned, if all the buttons on your shirt are still intact, and so on. Then in the morning, you’re set to go. And if you’re like me, you need all the help you can get just to get out of bed!
6. Pack your lunch in the eveningNot only does this save time, but it also helps you to remember everything. I have a little cooler bag that I use to pack my lunch while supper is cooking (or defrosting). I pack my sandwich, cereal, yoghurt, my cup-a-soup and my two fruits.

7. Use TV time for other mindless tasks I understand that TV is relaxation time but this works for me. I exercise with weights, wrap gifts, pack my handbag, update my diary, sew buttons, go through my old magazines, etc, etc. all while watching TV. The list goes on and on. At least at the end of a show, I feel like I’ve accomplished something instead of just being a couch potato.

8. Tape TV programmes and watch them on video later I’m a HUGE Dr. Phil fan and I tape the programme every day. If I had to sit and watch the programme live, it would take an hour. Because I tape it and fast forward through all the commercial breaks, it takes only 43 minutes. I also noticed that the reality TV shows like Survivor, Amazing Race and The Apprentice are usually only about 37 minutes long.

9. Batch routine tasks Keep all your filing together so that you file 5 pieces of paper at once. Make all your telephone calls at the same time. Write out all greeting cards for the month at one time. And wrap all the gifts at one time too – yes, in front of the TV!

10. Automate as much as you can Get your bank to automatically deduct your monthly payments. This is what I do with my business more and more, like automating my monthly newsletter, so I can focus more time on my core genius, coaching, organising, writing and speaking. If you put just two or three of these ideas into practice, you’ll save an hour every day.

What could you do with an extra hour every day? You could play with your children, spend some more quality time with your husband, reconnect with family or friends or take better care of yourself by joining the gym.
Make a small change today and start changing your life.

Monday Money Saver--Cooking vs. Eating Out

We all love to go out to eat. I know that for me, there is nothing like sitting down for a meal that I didn't have to cook nor clean up afterwards. However, the downfall to getting that meal is the cost. Although, there are some meals that are just as cheap to eat out then to cook at home. Here are a few (they aren't fancy, but they are cheaper and are great for those busy days)

1. Hamburgers--Thanks to the 99 cent menus at various fast food chains, (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) you can eat a hamburger and fries for the cost or less than the cost it would cost you to buy and make it.
2. Tacos--If you want to go real cheap go to Jack In the Box 2 for 99 cents or you can suck up the other 50 cents and buy soft tacos from Taco Bel.
3. Rotisserie Chickens--These are the cheapest at Sam's Club or Costco (usually around $6.00) However, al ot of local grocery stores will put them on specials on certain days of the week. Serve it up with some corn and green beans or a fresh salad and Yum!
4. Pizza--Check online or in your local paper for coupons. If you are willing to go pick up the pizza, you can usually get a medium for around $5.
5. Subs--Subway has $5 foot-longs. If you cut it up you can serve a family of four with a side of chips or potato or pasta salad.

I know these are not the most gourmet meals, but it might help you on those days when you just need to eat out. Save eating out nice for date night or special occasions, it will taste even better!

However, remember that eating out can be high in fat and sodium.

Sunday Spiritual Thought--Scripture Study

My Grandpa Petersen had a Bible that he read out of everyday. My Grandpa loved to read his scriptures. He kept a small note card inside and always wrote down the last verse that he had read so the next day he would know where to pick up from. Over the years as his eyesight worsened, the number of verses he read everyday decreased. However, the lesson to be learned here is that he read everyday. We need to remember that it isn't always how much we read but how we read. Let me try to explain.

Picture the ocean off the coast of Hawaii. Standing in the water you see beautiful blue water and the white sand in between your toes. But, if you take the time to get a snorkel and a mask, you can see coral and small fish while still staying close to the top of the water. Buy,better than that is to take the time to learn to deep sea dive taking a boat out of the way and really submersing yourself into the total experience that the ocean has to offer, life kinds you can only imagine, sea plants more beautiful under the water than on land, and there find treasures to uncover.

So is scripture study...sometimes we think we are getting the whole experience by just looking it over, then there are times when we get a little more in tune and actually put our head into it, but better than that are the times, when you really submerge your whole soul into studying and reading. That, is when you get the real knowledge the real hidden treasures your soul needs.

Next time you starts to read your scriptures think about what you really want to get out of your reading. Do you want the view from the shore, or the view fully encompassed in the sea?

Saturday Spotlight--My Mom

My Saturday Spotlight for this week is My Mom, Rondi Petersen. My mom has always been one of the people that I have looked up too, that I have wanted to be like, and that I love with my whole heart.

Just like most moms and daughters, we had a wonderful butting head days, also known as teenage mother daughter relations. Thank goodness, I made it out of that stage, to realize that my mom loved me and wanted the best for me. Though I didn't think it at the time, I see now all that my mom saw in and hoped for me.

My mom is an awesome grandma. She loves her grandkids. I mean how many grandmas do you know that put unlimited texting on their cell phone so thier grandaughters can text them all the time.

My mom is a great example. She has her priorities and knows what needs to be first in her life so that everything else can be done and accomplished. She taught me that sometimes you just have to leave things as they are and play with your kids. (I am really good at that one!)

More than anything, she has taught me how to love and be the best person that I can be.

Family Friday--Cinnamon Ornaments

Here is an easy way to make homemade cinnamon ornaments. They smell great and look awesome too.

Here's what you need to make your scented cinnamon ornaments:

Dough
1 c. ground cinnamon (buy it cheap at the dollar stores or in bulk at your grocery store bakery)
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 c. applesauce
2 T. Tacky or Elmer's white glue

Cookie cutters
Paint, if desired for decorating (fabric paint works great!)
Red, green or white ribbon

Instructions:

Combine first 5 ingredients until stiff dough forms, kneading well with hands. Roll dough out onto cinnamon dusted surface, about 1/4-inch thick, then cut with desired cookie cutter shapes such as teddy bears, hearts, Christmas trees, snowflakes, stars, candy canes, gingerbread boy (or girl), angels, etc...

Lay ornaments on a sheet of waxed paper and cut a small hole in the top (a plastic straw works well), then put in a safe place for drying. Depending on how dry your home is, it can take about 2-4 days for the ornaments to dry completely. Be sure to turn the ornaments over several times a day to ensure even drying.

When ornaments are dry, use fabric paint to decorate if desired (just like you would a cookie), then thread a pretty ribbon through the hole for hanging on Christmas tree, or all throughout the house!

Husbands

My post is short and late today, sorry. Today is Thursday, the day on my blog to think about thankfulness. I am so thankful for so many things in my life, but one of the greatest treasures to me is my husband. (Yes, this will probably be a little sappy, so enjoy!)



My husband, Rich, and I will be have been married for 15 years on December 18th. I remember when someone told me they were married for 10 years and I was in awe. The last last 15 years have been full up ups and downs, tears and joy, laughter, and lots of love. (We have fours kids!)



I know I often get caught up in all the things I have to do as a mom, that I forget I am also a wife. I am grateful for Rich's patience. I am still learning on how to be a better wife, person, and mom. He is supportive and loves me more than I deserve.



So today, be grateful for that man who drives you crazy, misses the laundry hamper, forgets you own a dishwasher, but loves you more than anyone else in the world.

Staying Hydrated

During physical activity the body loses water primarily through sweat, even in cold weather or in water. The body has several mechanisms to protect itself from the negative effects of dehydration, but thirst does not occur until the person is already dehydrated!
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) points out that as we get older, drinking enough water is especially important because with age our body is less able to regulate our temperature, putting us at increased risk of heat-related illness. Age also affects our ability to stay hydrated during exercise and our ability to recognize when we need more water.
A key to successful workouts is keeping well hydrated before, during and after exercise. The length of your workouts, heat, humidity and the amount you sweat are all major considerations for keeping your body in proper fluid balance.

Hydration Tips
Start hydrating early by drinking 1-2 cups of water in the morning
Keep a water bottle with you all day long
Drink before you get thirsty
Drink 1-2 cups of fluid 30 minutes before exercise
Drink ½ - 1 cup of fluid for every 15 minutes of exercise
Replenish fluids lost (2 ½ cups for every pound lost during exercise)
Keep drinking even after your thirst is quenched

Water vs. Sport Drinks
For exercise lasting under 45 minutes, water is your best choice. For the recreational athlete who may exercise 30-40 minutes per session, water is sufficient for hydration:

Water is easily absorbed
Water is the best choice to drink before moderate length exercise
Water is readily available and less expensive than sport drinks
Research suggests that for workouts consisting of at least 45 minutes of continuous exercise or high-intensity workouts of any duration – running, aerobics, biking and intense weight training – a sports drink may be beneficial in delaying muscle fatigue by providing your body with additional energy:

Sport drinks will replenish fluids while containing a small amount of carbohydrates and electrolytes
A steady source of carbohydrates during prolonged exercise fights off fatigue and enhances performance by fueling the muscles
Studies show that a solution containing electrolytes and carbohydrates may be absorbed more quickly and helps to retain fluids consumed after prolonged intense exercise
The taste of a good sport drink may encourage you to keep drinking

Over-hydration
Drinking too much water can cause problems such as water intoxication and, although this is not something most of us have to worry about, it does happen among many exercisers and should be something to be aware of. As the water content of the blood increases, the salt content is diluted; consequently, the amount of salt available to body tissues decreases, which can lead to problems with brain, heart and muscle function.
Symptoms include:
Dizziness
Nausea
Apathy
Confusion
These symptoms can also be attributed to dehydration, so it is important to know your body and know how much you are drinking.
Remember that you can get your daily water requirements from sources other than pure water. Your cup of tea counts! Water is the main ingredient in all drinks – carbonated drinks, fruit juices and even coffee. All these contribute to your daily fluid intake. Fruit and vegetables also have high water content, so proper nutrition is just as important.

Shortcuts For Household Chores

Here are a few of my favorite cleaning shortcuts

If you have a favorite cleaning shortcut, please comment so that it can be added to our list.

Dusting

• Use an old sock on your hand to dust. (Your kids will enjoy helping with this one)
• If you need to dust a lampshade or your fake plants use a lint roller.

Cleaning the Microwave

• Boil lemon water in the microwave for about five minutes. After the five minutes, let the bowl sit in the closed microwave for about 10 minutes. You should be able to just wipe off the grime with a paper towel or wash rag.

Windows and Mirrors

• Use Vinegar to spray the windows.
• Then use newspaper paper to clean the windows. Your windows will shine.

Cleaning Your Floors

• Use Vinegar and Hot Water to clean your tile.
• This works best when washing your floor on your hands and knees.

Managing Your Grocery Shopping

I wanted to share with you guys some new sites that I have found that have really helped on my grocery bill. This does take some time, but it is worth it. The other day at Albertsons I got the big size of Juicy Juice for .99 each using coupons and ad shopping. Just bookmark the following links and it is easy to check every week. I promise after a few weeks you will be surprised at how much you can save.

Pinching Your Pennies

http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com

Not sure how well this one is in all state, but for Nevada it is awesome. Every week it list the deals in all the local grocery ads. It stars them to show how great of a deal. One * an ok deal 5*s an awesome deal. It also tells you what coupons to use from the Sunday paper as well as link you to coupons sites on the Internet to print more coupons. It will also send you emails with online shopping codes that can save you on shipping.

Shortcuts

http://www.shortcuts.com/

This site allows you to add coupons to your shopper card. Here in Vegas, we have shopper cards for almost every store. Some examples of stores with shopper cards: Smiths, Albertsons, Kroger, Vons. The great thing about this site is that you don't have to print coupons they are added to your shopper card and deduct at the registar. You can print out a list of what you have on your card so you know.

Proctor and Gamble

http://www.pgsaver.com/

This site is from Proctor and Gamble Products and can also load onto your shopper card. I wish this one would just print because I would like to use them at Wal-mart and Target, but sometimes the grocery stores do put non-foods on good deals.

Cellfire

http://www.cellfire.com/

This site also links to shopper cards. It does however have some different sites besides just grocery stores. But another don't have to carry the coupons. If you have Internet on your cell phone it will send you an email so you have your list right there.

I hope these help everyone save a little extra money especially over this holiday season.

Just a side note. If I print out list from these sites, I use my printers fast draft setting to save ink.

Men and the Doghouse

I had to share this with ALL of you. I know it is an extra entry, but thought it would put a smile on every one's face. Share and educate the men in your life.

http://www.jcpenney.com/doghouse

Prayer

It seems to me that through out life, we often take for granted a wonderful gift that we all are given, the power of prayer. Prayer is our own personal opportunity to talk with our Father in Heaven. What a wonderful and amazing thing to have a direct line to the one person who loves us more than we can comprehend. He is the one person who always wants us to succeed, who has no hidden agenda, who cares more for our eternal welfare then what we have here on earth.

I love to hear little children pray. Their prayers are so sweet and from the heart. The things they are thankful for and the things that they ask for are genuinely pure in heart. When we found out that my husband had a new opportunity with his job that would require us to move away from our home in Texas, we asked our oldest two girls to pray about it. We asked them to really ask their Heavenly Father if this was the right thing for everyone in our family. My husband and I told them that if the answer was yes or no, they would have peace with the decision. We didn't expect them to understand nor be happy about moving away from their friends. After a couple days of both family prayer and their own individual prayers separately both girls came to us and told us that they knew we were supposed to move. Of course, this was with tears in their eyes, but they had been touched and really listened for the answer to their prayers. I know they listened, because I am sure they were hoping the answer was no, you are staying right where you are.

We often tend to rely on the Lord through hard times in our lives, but at this time of the year, what a wonderful gift to tell our Father how grateful we are for him and all the blessings he gives us everyday. Then, please take the time to just listen and feel that love and peace he gives us all.

Spotlight

Saturday is the day to Spotlight amazing women in our lives. If you would like to nominate someone for a spotlight, please email me at kmjbmom@hotmail.com.



I have so many amazing women in my life, my mom, mother in law, sister, sister in laws, cousins, nieces, friends, and Grandmas. The list could go on and on. Today, I would like to spotlight my Grandma Petersen.

My Grandma

My Grandma has shown me over the last year that with persistence, determination, and lots of love and support from those around us, that we can make it through the most difficult times in our lives. You see, a year ago today was the last day on this earth that my Grandma was able to spend with my Grandpa. He passed away in his sleep early in the morning on December 7, 2007.

Grandma has had the harder end of the deal in this situation. While I know that Grandpa is in a wonderful place, learning, growing, and waiting for my grandma, my Grandma has had to face the earthly loneliness of being without the love of her life. She has done this with such grace and dignity. She never doesn't think about him, but everyday she is living her life for him. She plays cards with her girlfriends three times a week and has even joined a bowling league.

She is a true example of when life hand you lemons, you make lemonade. I don't think her lemonade is perfect yet, but everyday there is a little more sugar added to sweeten up her life. Thank you Grandma for living on so we can enjoy loving you.

Family Holiday Traditions

At the bottom of this entry is a recipe for Easy Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Today on our local news at noon, they interviewed the CEO of a non-profit credit counseling service. Her discussion dealt with the fact that we are in a recession and while many American families will feel the crunch this season, there is more that they can do to make the holiday season memorable for their families. Her stress was on Family Holiday Traditions.

This made me stop and think about all the Christmas Traditions that my parents created for us growing up. I wanted to share just a few with all of you.

The Christmas Tree Farm--Every year we would drive to a Christmas Tree Farm to pick out and cut down our own tree. I remember when I was in second grade, that I even got to pick out a tree for my classroom at school.

Christmas Cookies--Even though my mom hated rolling out the sugar cookie dough every year, we would bake and decorate Christmas Cookies. These were elaborately done with icing and sprinkles.

Looking At Christmas Lights--Every Christmas Eve we would drive and look at the Christmas lights around town. This was very planned out and we always hit the best neighborhoods that were "all decked out" for the season.

Baskin Robbins Santa Cake--This is one of my all time favorites. After we would go look at Christmas lights, we would always come home and have ice cream cake before getting to bed.

Adopting a Family--My parents always taught us that it is better to give than to receive. My favorite tradition of all was going shopping for a mystery family every year. It was so much fun to pick out things to be dropped off on the front door of some one's house.

I hope this holiday season, we all remember that the time and love we share with our family is truly what makes the season complete.

Easy Chocolate Covered Pretzels--A Brown Holiday Tradition

Ingredients

• Pretzel Sticks (the larger ones are easy to decorate)
• Semi Sweet and White Chocolate for melting
• Treats to decorate pretzels ex. nuts, coconut, sprinkles, mini m&ms, mini marshmallows, etc.

Directions

• Melt the semi sweet and white chocolate in two separate bowls. (i do this in the microwave stirring about every 30 seconds)
• Dip about 1/3 of the pretzel stick into the melted chocolate, immediately let it drip off back into the bowl.
• Over a paper towel sprinkle your topping choice on the pretzel.
• Let dry. If you can find a piece of Styrofoam the pretzel are easy for kids to stick into that so they can dry. (If you lay them flat they will stick to that surface)

Once the pretzels are dry and have harden you can wrap them up and to deliver to family or just enjoy them with your kids.

Contemplating Thoughtfulness

Here’s an interesting word to contemplate – thoughtfulness. What’s that mean, exactly?

Maybe it means taking other people’s feelings or reactions into account before doing something. Every action creates an impact, whether positive or negative. Being thoughtful is a way to (for the most part) create some type of positive impact by thoughts, words and deeds. Buddhists call this mindfulness.

Part of being mindful or thoughtful is to be open-minded. Believe that things are never written in stone and that there is opportunity to change it. We can't change how other people act. There will be those out there who may hurt with words, deeds or actions. It's in our hands how we choose to handle it, react or create thoughts around it. We can speculate all we want and in the process make ourselves crazy.

One of the ways we can be more mindful is to step out of ourselves and look at how we would react if we were watching as an outside observer. Would this person say we were kind, caring and considerate by our actions? Or would this person say we were mean, uncaring and selfish? By doing this, does this change our actions? If not, what are the reasons why?

That never means we aren’t going to say things or do things to hurt people. We will – sometimes in error, sometimes to protect and speak up for ourselves. We are responsible for how we deliver the message, not necessarily how someone receives it.

If we come from a place of mindfulness, at least we are being true to ourselves while expressing what we need to express. Taking the TIME to be mindful – that’s the trick. It means we have to think about what we say or do, it means we have to be quiet and listen, instead of reacting. We have to REALLY listen to what someone is saying or watch what they are doing.

PMS and Workouts

I have found over the years that PMS for me means bad moods, water retention, headaches, bloating, cramps, etc., etc. I think you're getting the picture or can create your own. One thing that I have found is that exercise makes me feel so much better when I feel PMS coming on.

It has been proven that women who increase their exercise schedule the week before their menstrual cycle will have better all over health. So, even on those days when exercise is the farthest from your thoughts, take 10 minutes to help yourself.

PMS Symptoms that can be Cured with Exercise

1. Bloating
2. Breast Tenderness
3. Excess Sweating
4. Muscle Pains
5. Cramps

The following is a list of proven exercises that help with most PMS symptoms. Each exercise is specifically target to improve symptoms that we try to mask with over the counter medications.

Exercises to Help with PMS

1. Leg Lunges
2. Butt Squeezes
3. Push Ups
4. Sit Ups (old school style)
5. Crunches

Research shows that finishing off your exercise routine with water, magnesium, and a hot shower will improve your over all mood.

After Exercising

1. Drink plenty of Water
2. Take A Hot Shower
3. Take Multi-Vitamins with extra Magnesium to help fight depression and mood swings.

Welcome All

Blogging my family's events has become a sort of stress reliever for me. So, I decided to venture out and start a blog that all moms can read, relate to, respond to, and enjoy. Here is how this site will work...Everyday there will be a new post on the same seven topics.

• Sunday Spiritual Insights
• Monday Money Savers
• Tuesday Time Targets
• Wednesday Womanly Workouts
• Thursday Thoughtfulness
• Friday Family Time
• Saturday Spotlights

I hope you all will enjoy this site, check back often, and leave comments and insights daily for other to be inspired by.